What Size Dumpster Do I Need? Utah Project Guide
Not sure what size dumpster you need for your Utah project? This guide helps you choose between 10, 15, 20, and 30 yard roll-off dumpsters based on your job.
One of the most common questions we get from Utah homeowners and contractors is: “What size dumpster do I need?” Choosing the right size matters — too small and you’ll need an expensive second haul; too large and you’re paying for capacity you never use.
This guide walks through the four dumpster sizes we offer and which projects each one is best for.
The Short Answer
| Your Project | Recommended Size |
|---|---|
| Concrete removal, dirt, asphalt | 10 Yard |
| Small cleanout, single-room remodel | 15 Yard |
| Roofing, large cleanout, kitchen/bath remodel | 20 Yard |
| New construction, whole-home cleanout, commercial | 30 Yard |
10 Yard Dumpster — For Heavy Materials Only
The 10 yard is our smallest and lowest-profile roll-off container. It’s specifically designed for heavy, dense materials like:
- Concrete slabs, walkways, foundations
- Dirt and soil
- Asphalt and gravel
- Brick and block
Why not use a larger dumpster for concrete? Concrete is extremely heavy — a cubic yard of concrete weighs roughly 4,000 lbs. A 20 or 30 yard container filled with concrete would far exceed road weight limits. The 10 yard keeps your load within a safe hauling range.
Use this size if:
- You’re tearing out a concrete driveway, patio, or walkway
- You have a large amount of dirt or soil
- You’re removing asphalt or pavers
Don’t use this size if:
- Your debris is mixed (light furniture + some concrete) — go to a 15 yard instead
15 Yard Dumpster — Best for Most Homeowners
The 15 yard is our most popular container for residential Utah customers. It’s a versatile size that handles a wide range of projects without being overkill.
Best uses:
- Garage cleanouts
- Basement cleanouts (light to medium debris)
- Bathroom remodels
- Small landscaping projects
- Single-room renovation
- Moving junk removal
- Estate cleanout (smaller property)
15 yard holds approximately: 3–5 pickup truck loads
Use this size if:
- You’re cleaning out one or two rooms
- Your project involves mixed light-to-medium debris
- You want a dumpster that fits comfortably in a standard driveway
20 Yard Dumpster — Most Versatile Size
The 20 yard is the sweet spot for larger residential and contractor projects. It holds more volume than a 15 yard but costs less than a 30 yard when you don’t need maximum capacity.
Best uses:
- Roofing tear-offs (most residential roofs)
- Large home cleanouts
- Basement remodels
- Multi-room renovation debris
- Deck removal
- Large landscaping projects
- Moving cleanout for medium-sized homes
20 yard holds approximately: 6–8 pickup truck loads
Use this size if:
- You’re rereroofing a 1,500–2,500 sq ft home
- You have more debris than a 15 yard can hold
- You’re running a larger renovation project
30 Yard Dumpster — For Major Projects
The 30 yard is our largest container, built for high-volume construction, commercial cleanouts, and whole-home renovations.
Best uses:
- New construction debris
- Whole-home cleanouts and estate sales
- Large commercial office cleanouts
- Major multi-room remodels
- Industrial project waste
- Large roofing projects (3,000+ sq ft commercial)
30 yard holds approximately: 9–11 pickup truck loads
Use this size if:
- Your project spans the entire house or multiple floors
- You’re running a contractor job site
- You anticipate a large volume of light-to-medium debris
Choosing Between Two Sizes
Still not sure? Here are some quick comparison tips:
15 vs. 20 Yard
Choose the 20 yard if your project involves a full roof tear-off, multiple rooms, or you’re not confident the 15 will be enough. It’s almost always better to go slightly larger than to need a second haul.
Use our 15 vs. 20 yard comparison guide for a detailed breakdown.
20 vs. 30 Yard
If you’re a contractor or working on a large home (3,000+ sq ft) with full-home renovation debris, go with the 30. For most residential roofing and remodel jobs, the 20 is sufficient.
Weight Limits and Heavy Materials
Every dumpster has a weight limit based on safe road hauling capacity. If you’re mixing heavy materials (concrete, dirt, brick) with light debris, it’s important to be aware of weight.
We charge $55/ton for disposal, so filling a 30 yard container with concrete would be extremely expensive AND may require load adjustments. For any heavy material projects, call us first — we’ll help you plan the right container.
Get a Recommendation for Your Utah Project
Not sure which size to order? Call us at (801) 918-6000 — describe what you’re throwing away and we’ll recommend the right container. We’d rather help you choose correctly upfront than have you pay for a second haul.
Request a free quote online or view our full dumpster sizes guide.
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